A boost for the Herring River watershed: Brewster purchases conservation restriction from HCT

On Nov. 17, Brewster Special Town Meeting voters took an important step toward reducing nitrogen levels in the environmentally sensitive Herring River watershed.

Voters unanimously approved an article that will fund the purchase of a conservation restriction on an approximately 20-acre cranberry bog owned by Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT). The $300,000 purchase will prohibit future fertilizer application on the parcel, which is part of the larger Thacher bog property that was recently purchased by HCT.

Select Board member Ned Chatelain addressed the article before the special town meeting vote, discussing why the move was beneficial to the town.

“In July of 2023, the state of Massachusetts promulgated new Title 5 wastewater regulations, which require municipalities to develop plans for reducing their contributions of nitrogen to estuaries and bays in Cape Cod Bay and Nantucket Sound,” said Chatelain. “If towns do not adopt a plan to address their nitrogen removal mandates, then the homeowners living in the designated nitrogen sensitive areas of those towns would be obligated to upgrade their septic systems to nitrogen removing technology by 2028.”

The conservation restriction purchase is part of the town’s process to meet the state requirements.

“This restriction would prevent the application of fertilizer to the bogs in perpetuity, and remove almost 200 kilograms of nitrogen per year. meeting Brewster’s obligations under the new Title 5 regulations, and, in fact, exceeding that obligation by about 40 kilograms,” said Chatelain. “This would mean that no homeowners would have to upgrade their (septic systems) to comply with the new Title 5 regulations, and the town will not have to build any sewers in the part of town in the Herring River watershed. which will free up local funding for our own water quality improvement projects elsewhere in town, especially serving our ponds.”

Susan Bridges, Board Member of the Brewster Ponds Coalition, urged voters to pass the article, saying it had full support of the organization’s board. “This is, by far, the most economical way for Brewster to address this problem,” said Bridges.

About HCT’s Cape Cod Rail Trail Land Preservation Project

Thanks to generous HCT donors, a $2 million State grant and $500,000 from the Town Community Preservation Fund, we have reached the $3.5 million goal for preserving 50 acres along the Cape Cod Rail Trail in the Herring River watershed.

If you’ve ever biked or walked along the Cape Cod Rail Trail in Harwich, there is a memorable moment where the forest suddenly opens up to reveal a breathtaking vista with panoramic views across the Thacher family’s cranberry bogs. Only a few open spaces like this gem remain on the Cape, and HCT is grateful to Ray Thacher Jr. for providing the opportunity for a preservation purchase.

For now, access is paused while Ray continues to farm, and preliminary eco-restoration design work is underway. Rewilding this site could create free flowing stream channels with enhanced fish passage and connectivity between natural wetland habitats, and scenic trails could make this a unique conservation destination for the community.

—Sign up for HCT eNews, a great way to stay in the loop about exciting HCT events, guided walks and other interesting news.

—Your tax-deductible contributions help fulfill the mission of the Harwich Conservation Trust to preserve land that protects woods, water, wildlife and our shared quality of life. And your land-saving financial support helps us preserve beautiful properties that can become stellar trail destinations. Find out how to donate by clicking here.